(North Haven, CT) – Today, Anthem announced that it is ending its effort to merge with Cigna. This is a significant victory for Connecticut physicians and their patients.

CSMS President Jeffrey Gordon, MD welcomed the news, saying, “Today, CSMS and its local and national coalition proved that we can make a difference through hard work and relentless advocacy. Together, we are stronger, protecting both access to care and the patient- physician relationship.”

This decision is the result of nearly two years of tireless CSMS physician advocacy at the national level, working in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) before the US Department of Justice, Congressional committees, federal courts, state attorneys general, and state insurance commissioners.

CSMS was equally active here in Connecticut, partnering with the Universal Healthcare Foundation of Connecticut, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, and the Connecticut Attorney General’s office to ensure that market competition and patient access to care were protected from this merger, as well as the Aetna-Humana merger.